How to Install Windows XP from ISO Image?

Windows XP is one of the most successful operating systems by Microsoft up to date. It was not just a big success on its release, but till today, Windows XP is one of the best-operating systems. According to sources, there have been more than 1 billion Windows XP copies sold up to date.

Years have passed since the release of Windows XP still, there are users who are using the operating system even today. Users love how user-friendly it is. Thanks to better GUI (as compared to previous versions) and great features, makes the operating system a must-have. So, here is how to install Windows XP from ISO Image on your system.

How to Install Windows XP with ISO Image?

To install Windows XP on your system using ISO image, you will need to complete the procedure given below. However, before we start the process; you will need to have the following as they will be used in the future.

1: System Requirement threshold for Windows XP

First, you will need to check whether your system is powerful enough to run Windows XP. Here are the required specs for Windows XP installation.

Minimum Requirements:

• CPU: Pentium 4 233 MHz
• RAM: 64 MB RAM
• GPU: Video adapter
• Storage: 1.5 GB additional space will be required after the installation
• Sound: Sound card, Speakers or headphones
• Display: Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution
• Disk Drive: CD-ROM ROM drive

Recommended System Requirement

• CPU: Intel Core i2 1.5 GHz is
• RAM: 128 MB RAM
• GPU: Video adapter
• Storage: 1.5 GB additional space will be required after the installation
• Sound: Sound card, Speakers or headphones
• Display: Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution
• Disk Drive: CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive

2: Make a bootable USB drive

To install Windows XP from the ISO image, first, you have to create a bootable USB. To do that, you will need 3 things:

• A USB drive with enough storage for Windows XP ISO Image
• You will need to download Windows XP ISO file
• Third party application to burn the ISO file/Image

USB with enough space

You need a USB with at least 4 GB of free storage to make a Windows XP bootable USB. Keep in mind that the USB will be formatted, so if you have any essential or personal files, please consider making a backup first else all of your data will be removed. Get your USB drive from here.

The ISO file of Windows XP

Next, you will need to have an ISO file of Windows XP. You can download Windows XP from the given link.

Thrid Party application to burn the ISO file

Last but not least, you need an application that will be used to make the USB bootable. Rufus is one of the best applications; download Rufus and use the app. Since there is a need for installation, you will use the application directly after downloading it.

Once installed, open it. In the Device tab, select the USB that you want to make bootable.

Next, click on the Select next to Boot Selection tab and select the path to your Windows XP ISO file.

Keep the rest as default, although you can change the volume label if you want, and click on Start.

Once finished, then you are good to go now your USB is bootable.

3: Install Windows XP

Once you are done creating a bootable USB, next, you have to install it. But before installing, make sure that your BIOS/UEFI is configured to boot from the USB drive first.

Configuring BIOS/UEFI: (If your computer is already configured, then skip this part)

If you are using a computer with UEFI/EFI, make sure that the Boot Legacy option is enabled.

During initial startup, press your BIOS key (F1, F2, F10, F12, DEL, or any other key set by your computer’s manufacturer) to open the BIOS menu.

Using arrow keys, go to the Boot tab. It will display all the available devices according to their boot priorities. Move the USB to the first position in the boot sequence.

At last, Save the change and then exit the BIOS Setup.

Now perform the installation;

Insert your bootable USB into the computer and boot it.

Once a message screen showed up saying “Press any key to boot from USB…“, then press any key to continue.

The Setup will start loading and configuring files. You have to wait until another screen shows up, which offers the following choices:

• To set up Windows XP now, press ENTER
• To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R
• To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3

Press Enter to continue the installation

An End User License Agreement (EULA) will show up to continue press F8.

Next, you will face with partition menu. You can use the Arrows key, C, D, and Enter to move and create or delete a partition.

Once you are done with the partition, go on to any created partition that you want to install your Windows XP on and hit Enter.

Also, the windows will ask you to format the partition. There are two format options available for Windows XP:

1. FAT (File Allocation Table) – This format offers less storage capacity, no security or option to recover data but is required by certain types of computing environments.

2. NTFS (New Technology File System) – This format is the most common option because it offers better storage capacity and provides security and a chance to recover data.

Note: If you are installing a Windows XP over an old or corrupt copy of Windows, it is recommended that you do not use the Quick format option since Quick format only denote the sector as deleted.

After the files are copied, the computer will reboot automatically, keep your USB inserted, and do nothing if the “Press any key to boot from USB…” message showed up. The installation will continue automatically.

Next, a menu will pop up to choose your Region, Language, Name, Product-Key, Date, and Time.

After that, the Windows XP will continue installation and restart once the installation is done.

The user has to do one last set up before using their Windows XP; it’s simple since it only asks for basic information like User name, Internet access, etc.

Related: How to Clone Hard Drive on Windows 10?

Why should you install Windows XP?

As you have now learned how to install Windows XP from ISO image, let’s have a moment and know a little bit more about Windows XP too.

Microsoft released Windows XP on 24 August 2001. The OS got a constant update till 21 April 2008. It was the successor to both Windows 2000 (designed for Professional users) and Windows me (designed for Home users).

Windows XP has a user-friendly GUI, that makes it much easier to use as compared to its previous predecessors. It is designed to be completely compatible with all the hardware; therefore, it’s swift and smooth. The OS is compatible with low-end PCs thanks to its low spec requirements. To give you even better insight, here are the features of Windows XP

Features of Windows XP

Windows XP consists of many advanced features which has made it much easier and more useful for the users; it includes:

System Restoration

This feature allows users to revert their computer to its initial state or the previous point set. It can be used to recover from system malfunctions or other problems.

Remote Assistance & Remote Desktop

Remote desktop and Remote Desktop are the almost same thing, where a user who needs assistance or wants to remotely control another computer sends an invitation to the host computer.

If the host computer allows the requester, it can control the host computer through a remote screen. This process can be done without the internet and as long as you have a network switch or router in-between the computers.

Application Compatibility Mode

Before Windows XP, running an application wasn’t an easy task since the older version of windows couldn’t run the application manufactured for other windows.

But Windows XP brought the application compatibility mode, enabling the user to run the program in any other windows included in the compatibility menu.

Built-in Firewall

Unlike the older versions, Windows XP has its own Internet Firewall, which provides the user with a secure network and internet surfing. The built-in firewall is easy to configure, and in an advanced setting, it can give extra filtering and logging capabilities which means extra security.

WLAN

The most valuable feature in Windows XP is its wireless LAN connectivity. It allows users to connect to the internet and other devices wirelessly. This is one of many reasons where Windows XP has the advantage over Windows 2000. Once the Windows XP is loaded, it automatically looks for available WLAN networks, and of course, users can do it manually and connect to their preferred network.

Related: Free Windows Server 2019 ISO – Download Direct Links

Conclusion of Install Windows XP from ISO Image

In conclusion, installing Windows XP from ISO might be frustrating, especially for new users. Still, once it is done, you will experience how fast and reliable it is and how all the frustration was worth it. Using ISO Image setup files as compared to other formats is safe and easy to handle. If you got any questions related to installing Windows XP from ISO image on your system, then comment below. We will respond to you as soon as possible.